Hardy, William R. M.D.
William (Bill) R. Hardy, M.D. died peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. Bill was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on September 8, 1929 to William and Dorothy Hardy. He was the third of seven children. Bill first came to New Mexico in 1947 to attend what is now New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. It was then that he fell in love with New Mexico. Bill returned to Chicago and attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine graduating in 1956 with honors. He then began his residency in Internal Medicine completing an internship at St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago. Bill completed his residency program at Cook County Hospital, Chicago. He traveled west again to fulfill his military service equivalency at the US PHS Indian Hospital at Fort Defiance, Arizona. Following this he moved his family to Albuquerque and joined Lovelace Clinic group practice from 1962 – 1965 when he accepted a position on the faculty of the newly formed University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
During his 30 year career at UNM School of Medicine, he served as Vice Chairman of the Department of Medicine and Director of the Residency Program. He loved working with the medical students and residents and often quipped that he "should pay the University" for allowing him to participate in the lives of the people for whom he cared and taught. He retired in 1996 and spent time near Westcliffe, Colorado, and finally the northern mountains of New Mexico near Taos. In their 38 years of marriage, Bill and Linda enjoyed traveling, hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving and most of all, wildlife viewing.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Linda; three children, Scott (Marianne), Dawn, and Brett (Jennifer); four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, along with his beloved pets. To honor Bill’s wishes, the family will hold a private service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 9500 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111, or Animal Humane of New Mexico, 615 Virginia St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.
The family wishes to thank Suzanne Pinon, MD, whose medical expertise and compassion helped guide Linda on this long journey; the staff at Mayberry Senior Services; Debra Waldman of Elite Senior Care and Margaret Fell of Special Live in Care. Please visit our online guestbook for William at www.FrenchFunerals.com